Cowshed Cottage

23/12/2024

Just don’t forget your walking boots, they’ll get plenty of use🥰🥰🥰🥰

Looking for a woodland walk all to yourself? Craving that quiet space and time for your thoughts among nature? We know that some of our picturesque trails can get busy, so we've put together a little guide of the more peaceful spots for a quiet wander:

🏞️ Soudley Ponds - Located within the Forest of Dean, is a haven of natural beauty. Stroll along serene pathways, watch the reflections dance on the water, and let the calm of this place wash over you. Visit the near by Dean Heritage Centre for a warming drink after (make sure to check opening times).
🌲 New Fancy Viewpoint- Find serenity at New Fancy Viewpoint deep in the Forest of Dean. Perched high above the forest canopy, this spot offers sweeping views that will inspire and invigorate your spirit.
🍃 Barbadoes Wood (near Tintern Abbey) - Enjoy history and nature at Barbadoes Wood. Located near the iconic Tintern Abbey, you will be transported to a place of timeless beauty. Here you are also just around the corner from Forest Retreats who offer a whole host of incredible wellbeing services.
🌳 Tidenham Chase - Discover solitude among the trees in the peaceful Tidenham Chase. Walking paths at Tidenham Chase will take you to both Offa's D**e, the ancient border between Wales and England, and the Devil's pulpit. This vast woodland offers a sense of seclusion, making it the perfect spot to reconnect with nature and your inner thoughts.
🏞 Lanucaut Loop - Follow the Lanucaut Loop trail from Chepstow, where the winding cliff paths and dramatic views could lead to moments of stillness and reflection. You're also in close proximity here to the awe-inspiring Castell Cas-gwent / Chepstow Castle offering an enriching exploration experience.

Which of these beautiful locations will you explore first?

📷 Soudley Ponds

21/12/2024

Very best wishes to all our guests - past and present for a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope to see you all again soon, but not all at once🤣🤣

🎄✨ Step back in time this Christmas...

From quiet snow-dusted forests, to the River Wye winding through the great outdoors, it's the kind of quiet you only find in nature.

The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is full of it after all - so if you haven't planned to visit this Christmas.... Why not?

Whether you’re exploring scenic trails, cosying up in a cafe with a hot chocolate, or searching for the perfect viewpoint for that family Christmas photo, we have you covered.

❄️ Escape the ordinary. Visit the Forest of Dean and River Wye this Christmas. 🎁

14/12/2024

Very precious little creatures, we cherish ours, look after yours if you are lucky enough to have them in your garden🥰🥰

If you see me in your garden, please give me food (raw, unsalted meat or ground meat; I also like cat food but not fish) and water. Do not give me milk as it causes stomach problems and I could die from dehydration. I am naive, and if I see milk, I will drink it.
Do not give me milk!
Do not use insecticides or traps. I am harmless and beneficial for your garden because I feed on insects that attack vegetables.
My species is endangered, please help me stay alive.
Thank you! 🦔❤️

19/11/2024

🥰

🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧To all our farmers heading down to London today, and all our farmers having to stay behind to milk, to feed calves, to tend to their flocks and pigs - to do what they do every single day.

To those who own their farms, and to those that rent their farms. To those who have enjoyed a lifetime working their land and building a resilient business that the next generation are excited to take on. To those that are just starting out and battling to make ends meet. To those who have invested heavily in getting their farms future proofed. To those who probably should be slowing down a bit, but can't. To those who love their way of life, and those that are questioning their way of life. To those who are struggling to know what to do next. To those who are terrified of what might come next.

To those who work so hard to feed our nation, take care of our beautiful countryside and pass on your knowledge, work ethic and lifestyle to the next generation.

Know that we stand right behind you. The whole bloody country does.


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https://doodlinglucy.com/?

10/11/2024

Come and explore…..and there’s more🤣🥰

26/10/2024

Yay🥳🥳🥳Cowshed Cottage is right in the middle of this route…..so get booking for 2025, you will love it🥰🥰🥰🥰

We've designed the UK’s first Leaf Peeping Drive 🍂, including our 10 Hotspots to view the best autumn colours across the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

The route is around 50 miles long and can be begun at any point. We've started it with hotspot 1 at Symonds Yat Rock which overlooks the meandering River Wye and takes in unspoilt panoramas of the rich mixed forest landscape below.

From here our route follows the Wye south, travelling through sweeping countryside past classical ruins and breathtaking views before delving deeper into our Forest of Dean hotspots with ancient woodland all around and lakes and arboretums drenched in autumnal colour.

Each location also has a handy photo and description with some top tips for views, walks and the types of trees you can see, and there is also an interactive Google Map so you can follow the route while you're here and not miss out on a thing.

Find out more and download the guide at: https://www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/inspiration/seasons/autumn-leaf-peeping

We have so far been featured by The Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Forbes and The Independent. Just use to show us your photos and videos of the area bathed in autumn colours and we will share the best.🍁

23/10/2024

Just a few of our favourite spots🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

17/10/2024

Beautiful time of the year here🥰

12/10/2024

Can thoroughly recommend this - I’ve tasted the finished products🥰🥰!

10/10/2024

So lucky to be here….its all on the doorstep🥰

22/09/2024

It’s happening🥳🥰🥰

03/09/2024

The secrets out🤣🤣

10/08/2024

Just love this view🥰🥰🥰🥰

The beautiful view from The Kymin, looking out over Monmouth and westwards towards the Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons. Thanks to .526 for the photo.

It's another great weekend of events here in Monmouthshire, headlined by Monmouth Medieval Festival, two days of tours, re-enactments, falconry, games and more. Entry is free, so come on down!

There's also a summer fayre at Caldicot Castle, Open-air theatre at Abergavenny Castle, the fantastic Chepstow Show at Chepstow Racecourse, open gardens and more. You can find a link to all these events in the comments below.

27/07/2024

Just a glimpse of our beautiful area…..so lucky to live here🥰🥰🥰🥰

23/07/2024

In case you want to see them🤣🤣🤣didn’t they do well🤣🤣🤣

11/07/2024

We also have plenty of parking at cottage, so you can park up and walk to your 4x 4 experience🥰

06/07/2024

So, so unique…..we are so lucky to have it here in Forest of Dean🥰

During a recent visit to Puzzlewood James Wong talked about the amazing human super sense to detect far more shades of green than any other colour - something incredibly rare in mammals.

Discussing the calming effect of green on body and mind and why we instinctively seek our green spaces, he likened a wander through the woodland to wrapping yourself in fuzzy green velvet 💚

Photo: Carina Powell